Signaling system.



C. GREENSLIT & R. ROYAL.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I l. 1913.

27, 1916. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented June fed 40a 4 CELL :ummmmimill!!!l!munlunnnmiullllhmum[zzzrzzzfars Man/64. M1 "WA waw l coLuMuIA PLANOGRAPH co C. GREENSLIT &R. ROYAL. SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-H, I913.

Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

i TED STATES PATENT OFFIG. a

CHARLES GREENSLIT, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, AND noscon ROYAL, on CHICAGO,ILLINOIS,

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed September 11, 1913.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES GREENSLIT, residing at Cleveland, in thecounty of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, and Roscon ROYAL, residing atChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, both citizens ofthe United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSignaling Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to signaling devices and particularly to deviceswhereby a plurality of signals may be sent over a single wire and may beautomatically distributed depending upon the nature of the signals orthe condition of the apparatus by means of which the signals arereceived.

The invention also relates to signaling devices whereby signalsoriginating at different points may be, combined, distributed, ortransferred to other points in an automatic manner. The need for such asystem or device frequently arises in telephone work, for the purpose ofconnecting one subscriber with another subscriber thereof; as

in automatic systems, wherein the selection.

is performed by a plurality of impulses sent over the subscribers wire;in manual systems in which an incoming call is routed. to differentoperators depending upon whether they are busy or free; in the automaticselection of trunk lines; in the automatic distrif bution from trunklines to individual lines; in the automatic avoidance of defectiveapparatus; in the annunciation of busy lines; in the connection ofsupervisory lines; and in other places too numerous to mention. Also inthe art of signaling generally, whether by lights, bells, orthe humanvoice, it is frequently desirable to operate different devices dependingupon the number of successive signals, or to distribute and displaythose signals depending upon the source of the signal or theannunciation already made by reason of signals previously sent.

The general objects of this invention are, therefore, the provision ofnew and improved signaling mechanism whereby a plurality of differentsignals may be sent over a single wire and automatically sorted out atthe receiving end; the provision of new and improved signaling mechanismwhereby different numbers or characters of impulses transmitted over asingle wire may cause Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 27, 1916.

Serial No. 789,369.

higher and lower groups wherein the inclication of higher groups shallbe cleared upon changes in indications of higher groups; the provisionof electrical signaling mechanism in which the functions of setting themechanism and of maintaining the same in set condition shall beperformed by different circuits; the'provision of a new and improvedtype of relay; the provision of controlling mechanism whereby the opention of the receiving mechanism maybe governed to the end that thereceiving mechanism may in no case outrun the originating mechanism;while further general objects will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds. v

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application wehave shown our improved relay and also a specimen circuit illustratingone mode of connecting up a plurality of those relays so as to effectcertain combinations and distributions of the signals received by thesystem. It will be understood, however, that this is shown merely as asuggestion and that this system when extended in any direction (as maybe done by the mere duplication of the connection shown) will serve tofulfil the various functions hereinbefore referred to.

In these drawings Figure 1 is aside elevation of a relay constructed inaccordance with our invention, the same being shown in unexcitedcondition; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same relay showing theposition taken by the parts when the same is excited; Fig. 3 is alongitudinal cross sectional view taken through the center'of the magnetand spring pile showing theparts in the same position as in Fig. 1; andFi 4: is a diagram of a specimen circuit.

Describing the parts by reference characters the relay in its preferredembodiment comprises a wire coil 1 woundv upon a core 2 and supportedupon a base 3, there being a bracket 4; preferably of soft ironprojecting alongside the coil. Pivoted to the end of the bracket is anarmature 5 here shown as of right angle shape with one leg overhangingthe core and the other lying alongside the bracket, said second legbeing arranged to be thrown away from that bracket upon the energizingof the coil.

Secured adjacent to the bracket 4 are a plurality of parallel resilientspring fingers a, 6, 0 (Z, 0, f, mounted in the order shown and spacedapart by means of insulation as shown. The free end of the spring aoverhangs the end of the armature 5 and is formed for contact with thefree end of the spring 0, but is normally spaced therefrom, to leave anopen circuit. The free end of the spring 6 carries a contact normallyengaging the spring 0. Also the free end of the spring 0 normallycontacts with spring (.7, but is arranged when displaced to contact withspring f. Spring Z) is braced by an insulating post 6, here shown aspassing through an aperture in spring a, while spring (Z is also bracedby an insulating post 7 passing loosely through apertures in springs a,Z) and a (see Fig. Also a suitable insulating spacing member 8 isintroduced between springs 0 and 6 so that upon the displacement of a toopen the con tact Z)0, the spring 6 will also be displaced to open thecontact (Z-e and close the contact ef.

Accordingly during the time that the rerelay is not energized (Fig. 1)the contacts b0 and (Zcare closed and the contacts a@ and ef are open.Likewise upon the energizing of the relay these contacts Z)0 and cZe areopened and the contacts ct0 and e-f are closed. Also it will be seenthat upon the attraction of the armature 56 the changes in the relationsof the contacts will be. performed in a strictly timed mannor, the firstbeing the making of the connection at a0, next the breaking of thecontact Z)-(:, then the breaking of the con tact (Z-6, finally making ofthe contact c/; and that upon the release of the armature the changesoccur in exactly reversed order.

Certain modes of connecting these relays together and employing them inthe circuit are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4: in which all of therelays are intended to be of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, althoughshown in conventional form. The various springs are indicated by thesame characters as are employed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the armaturehowever being omitted and its place being taken by the spring a. Thevarious parts will be referred to by the figure of the relay togetherwith the letter of that part.

The battery is shown at 10 (plus and minus being indicated for purposesof clear ness of description but not necessary in operation), one sideof the battery (here positive) being connected to a main lead 66.

The relays are illustrated as connected in groups, relays 50, 51 and 52comprising the first or B group; 53 and 54 the second or A group; 55,5G, and 57 the third or C group; 58, 59, and 60 the fourth or D group;and 61, 62, and (33 the fifth or E group. Of course other groups couldbe employed as desired and connected to each other and to the circuit byany of the modes herein disclosed, but the arrangement here shownbelieved to be suilicient to illustrate sufiiciently the capabilities ofour improved relay.

In the present embodiment we have illustrated the system as controlledby means of a coindrop so that the same may be rendered operative uponthe deposit of a coin and may be rendered again inoperative after theoccurrence of a predetermined num ber of operations. lVhile the coindrop may or may not be used, without reference to the remainder of thea1 )paratus, and while it may be employed in connection with any portionof the mechanism, as will be obvious, we have shown it in connectionwith the main return wire of the system, wherefore an explanation of thesame at this point is necessary to an understanding of the apparatus.

The coin chute is shown diagraimnatically at 67 and associated therewithis a relay GSI having two armature connections (a and Z), both normallyopen and arranged to close their circuits upon the energizing of themagnet. The relay magnet is connected to the positive main 66 throughthe super visory lamp 68 Upon the deposit of a coin in the chute contactis made at 67 causing the passage of current by way of (36, 68, (38, 67and lead (39 back to the battery. This causes the closing of contacts 68and 68*, 68 shunting the coin drop so that thereafter current flows fromthe positive main (36 through lamp 68, magnet 68, contact 68 and returnlead 69 whereby the supervisory lamp is continuously lighted. Theclosing of the contact 68" completes the circuit through the negativemain 70 so as to render operative any mechanism connectedthereto. Themode of opening this contact. and the effect thereof will be describedlater. The positive main (5G is also connected to the contact devices72, 73, 74k and 75, here shown as leading directly from the main (36,although. it will be understood that any desired extensions orconnections could be interposed therebetween, and that the contactsthemselves could consist of receiver hooks, impulse counters, clocks,fire alarm boxes, pilot indicators, target contacts, or even pushbuttons depending upon the purpose for which the system is to be used.These contacts, when actuated, serve to place the positive main 66 incircuit with wires 76, 77, 7 8, or 79 respectively as the case may be.The wire 76 is connected with one group of relays which are indicated byA, the wire 77 with the group indicated by B, and the wire 79 with thegroup indicated by C. The wire 7 9 is here shown as of an anomalousnature and will be described in detail hereafter. Other groups D and Eare also shown, group D being connected in series with group C and groupE being connected in series with group A. Likewise certain crossconnections between the groups have been provided for which will beexplained later.

Let us suppose a single contact to be made at 72; a current flowsthrough 66, 72, 76, relay SO and connection 81 to one of the relaymembers 54 This member being in contact with 54, a current passes to 5353, and thence by way of the connection 53 to relay 53 whence it returnsto the battery via branch83 and negative main 84. The relay beingenergized by this rush of current, the armature is attracted, makingcontact at 53 -58, and 5353 breaking contact at 53"53, and 53 -53 This,therefore, breaks the circuit through the contact 72, but in placethereof current flows from the positive main 66 through the branch 85,connection 86, armature 87 and connection 88 to the spring 54, whence itflows to 54, 53, 53, and lamp 523, thence passing through the relay 53and back to the battery as before. The lamp 53, being illuminated,signifies that one impulse has been received over the wire 76 and thisillumination continues so long as the contact 53 53 is continued. Ofcourse it will be obvious that other annunciating devices than the lamp53 could be employed, a lamp being illustrated herein entirely becauseof the ease with which it may be shown. Also it will be obvious thatthis current which illuminates the lamp may be employed to effectfurther connections, or that further connections may be superposed uponthe spring pile of the relay itself, suchcapability being so obvious asto require no extended mention.

Assuming the contact 72 to have been made only momentarily, as itordinarily would be, it is meanwhile returned to open position ready torecord another impulse. Supposing this contact to be again closed so asto transmit over the wire 7 6 another impulse, this impulse will flowthrough 80, S1, 54 54, 53, 53, 54 relay 54 and branch 83 to the battery.This serves to make contact at 5454 and 54 -54, breaking contact at 59-54", and 54 54 Accordingly current ceases to flow through contact 72,but flows through 66, 85, 86, 87, 88, 54, 54*, 54, relay 54, and branch83 back to the battery. Illumination of the lamp 554 indicates the factthat two impulses have been received over the wire 76, while thebreaking of the contact at 54 54 extinguishes the light at 53 It will benoted that in each case the first actuation of each magnet is cfiectedby means of the current produced through the wire 76, and that theconsequent attraction of the armature effects a contact at c -o,whereupon the sustaining current is derived from another circuit, thecircuit through the wire 76 being broken immediately thereafter. Howeverit will be seen that the current through the sustaining circuitnecessarily begins to flow before the original circuit is broken; alsoit will be seen that the contact through this sustaining circuit isclosed before the preceding relay is released, wherefore all danger ofthe system becoming tied up is avoided.

In the present instance only two relays have been shown in group A,although it will be obvious that the number could be extended as much asdesired. The last relay of the group having been energized, let

us suppose that the contact 72 is made once more, in this case a thirdtime; the current flows through 66, 72, 76, 80, 81, 54, 54 andconnection 90 to the relay 87. Thence it flows by way of connection 91to 62 62, 61 61, and 61 to the relay 61, and

thence back to the battery by way of the branch 92. The energizing ofthe relay '87 opens the sustaining circuit at 87*, deenergizing therelay 54 and extinguishing the lamp 54". Simultaneously the energizingof the relay 61 establishes contact at 61 61, and 61 -61 Current nowflows through other positive mains 66, branch 93, and connections 63, 6362", 62 61, 61*, to the lamp 61 and relay 61, returning to the batteryvia lead 92. The illumination of this lamp indicates that group A hasbeen once filled and run over, while the clearing of the group A hasleft it in condition for a new start upon the making of another contact.It will be obvious that the lamp 61 is shown merely as a type and thatan annunciating device, contact making device, or other mechanicalsignal could be employed in its stead, or that the movement of the relayarmature could be employed to effect yet other connections in additionto those herein mentioned.

Reference has already been made to a relay 80 which is in series withthe contact 72. While it is clear that only a momentary contact at 72will be required to energize the relay next in turn and cause it toattract its armature so as thereafter to become sustained throughanother circuit, it

'will take only a moments reflection to observe that if the contact 72be held closed for any extended time, the various relays will beactuated successively as rapidly as their armatures can be attracted soas to change the relation of their contacts. Thus if the contact 72 wereaccidentally held closed without other provision the various relays ofgroup A would be energized successively time after time withoutintermission. The control relay is designed to counteract this and tothat end is provided with an armature connection 80 adapted, upon theenergizingof the relay, to make contact between the connection 81 andthe return branch 84:, thus shunting a part of the circuit. Inasmuch asthe armatures of the various-relays move at about the same speed, thenecessary changes in contact will be made at the receiving relays beforethe completion of the shunt at the control relay. The operation of thearmatures can be accelerated or retarded by changing the hysteresis andspring tension as will be well understood.

Next considering group B, it will be clear upon inspection that thearrangement and mode of operation of the relays is exactly the same asin the case of group A wherefore extended explanation of the groupitself is be lieved to be unnecessary. Likewise it will be obvious thatthe number of relays in the group may be diminished or increased atpleasure. The last relay of this group is connected by way of its springfinger f and the lead 99 to the releasing relay 8?. In this case thisreleasing relay is shown as a double magnet identical with the releasingrelay for group A although it is obvious that other arrangements couldbe employed. From this releasing relay the current passes by way of 100,57, 57, 56, 56 55, 55 55, to relay 55, and thence back to the bat teryvia branchlOl, main 70 and connections 08". This causes theestablishment of contacts at 55 55, and 55 55 breaking contact at 55 -55and 55 55, after which current flows through 66, 103, 55, 55, 55 55,101, 70, and (39 The lamp, (or other annunciator) being energized may beconsidered as giving any indication which convention may have appliedthereto, while the energizing of the relay 87 due to the passage of thecurrent therethrough breaks the contact at 87 and extinguishes the lastlamp in group B.

By following out the contacts made at 74, it will be seen that a closingof the circuit at this point would cause a flow through 78, controlrelay 102, releasing relay 87, and thence by way of the connection 100with the various relays of group C, thus afford ing exactly the sameindication as though an excess of impulses had been transmitted by wayof group B. The control relay 102 is employed from the fact that anextended contact at 7-1 might otherwise cause an in correct signal,while the presence of the control relay would in such a case effect ashort circuit at the point 102 thus preventing the repeated actuation.Also it will be noticed that the currentfrom the contact 74 passesthrough the releasing relay 87 thereby clearing all relays in groups Aand B. Either or both of these expedients could be omitted, if desired,without invention or the releasing relay could be associated with onlyone of the prior groups if necessary.

Supposing that after the actuation of the relay in group C, a secondimpulse should be received over the connection 100 (either by way of thecontact 7 1 or an overflow from group B). The path taken by the currentwill be 100,57 5'l" ,56,5(3 55, 55 relay 5(3, 101, 70, (38 thusactuating the relay 56 and causing the changing of contacts heretoforeexplained. This, however, will not, with the arrangement showndecnergize the relay 55, since in group C the fingers c are connectedparallel with the positive main instead of being connected in lies withthe springs B of preceding relays. Accordingly these indicators orannunciators remain energized after once having been actuated until ahigher portion of the system is actuated to restrict them.

Supposing that all of the indicators of group C are actuated, asucceeding actuation received through the connection 100 will betransferred directly to the connection 106 whence it will pass to 59,59, 58 58 58 58, 107, 70, and 68 The relay 58 being exactly the same asheretofore described, the same operations will take place, the lamp (orother device) Z being actu ated and sustained by reason of thesustaining circuit through the branch 105. Thus it will be seen that thedifferent groups are arranged in progressive orders, A and B being ofthe lowest order C and E being of the next higher order (inasmuch asthey receive all or certain of their impulses from orders below), and Dbeing of a still higher order since it receives its impulses from thegroup C. Obviously these different groups could be extended to anylength desired, or could be connected to themselves and to each other byany of the modes disclosed herein. There is, however, an anomalous oremergency section of the apparatus here shown which should beconsidered, this portion of the circuit being in the present instanceconnected with the second relay of group C, although many other possibleconncctions will suggest themselves. In this 'ase an additional contactmember m is provided having fixed contacts upon sides a and 0. thecontact n being connected by means of the lead 110 to the wire 78, andthe contact 0 being connected by the lead 111 with the relay 112 whichwe here term the emergency relay. During the unexcited condition of themagnet 56, the contacts m% are closed so that an impulse received overthe wire 79 passes into the relay 102 and then the relay 87, and thenceinto the group C like any impulse originating at the contact 74.However, if the magnet 56 is energized previous to the currents of thiscontact the impulse will pass through 79, 56 56 111, 112, 113, 70, and08 to the battery. This impulse will energize the magnet 112, closingthe contacts a and b, whereupon current will flow through 66, 85, 11 1,115, 112, 112, and 113 to the battery as before. The lamp or otherannunciator is here shown in parallel with the magnet 112 so as tobecome energized simultaneously therewith. At the same time the closingof the contact B short-circuits the relay 68 (via 116, 117, 112", 113,and 70) permitting the breaking of the contacts 68 and 68 whereupon theapparatus here shown becomes entirely inoperative until the inser tionof another coin, or other suitable expedient, to ell'cct the contact at67. A gong having a magnet 11a is shown in the connection 115 so thatupon the actuation of the emergency relay an audible signal will begiven.

It will be obvious that the coin mechanism could be omitted withouteffect upon the rest of the circuit, and that the coin controllingmechanism is capable of use in a great many locations which will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art; of which gas and electricitymeters, time locks, vending machines, game apparatus, and prepaymenttelephones may be cited as examples. Also it will be apparent thatwithin the operation of the rest of this mechanism other contactcontrolling means might be employed and governed or operated by otherexpedients than the dropping of the coin. It will also be apparent thatthe emergency circuit 79, 111, etc. could be omitted entirely withoutreference to the rest of the system. Also it will be obvious thatthe-contact 75 could be connected directly to the relay 112, but thatconnection is so obvious that illustration has not been thoughtnecessary and the present illustration has been selected inasmuch as itshows a mode of causing the signal received from this circuit to dependupon the prior condition of the receiving mechanism.

lVhile we have described in detail the relay of our invention andpointed out at length certain forms of connection which may be employedwe have done so solely with the idea of making plain our invention andnot for the purpose of limiting ourselves to the particular constructionor arrangement herein set forth. Also while we have illustrated ourimprovements as combined in an extensive, complete, and complicatedsystem, it should be understood that our improvements relate to thecomponent parts of that system as well as to the whole. Accordingly wedo not confine ourselves to the arrangement or constructions hereindescribed except as the same may be included positively in the claimshereto annexed or may be rendered necessary by the prior state of theart.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. In electricalsignaling mechanism, the combination, with contacts and a source ofelectric energy in circuit therewith, of signalingdevices for saidcircuits, means for actuating said signaling devices successively uponthe repeated closing of said contacts, means for terminating theactuation of each signaling device upon the actuation of the nextsucceeding device, and means operative after a predetermined number ofsuch actuations to produce an actuation of an annunciator of anotherseries.

2. In electrical signaling apparatus, the combination, with anelectrical contact and a source of electric energy connected therewith,of a series of signaling devices, means operative upon the closing ofsaid contact for actuating the first signaling device of said series,and means operative upon the second closing of said contact foractuating the second signaling device of said series and simultaneouslyterminating the actuation of the preceding signaling device.

8. In electrical signaling apparatus, the combination with a pluralityof electrical contacts and a source of electric energy, of separatecircuits connecting said source with said contacts, a series ofsignaling devices for each of said circuits, other series of signalingdevices following certain of said first series, means operative upon therepeated closing of any one of said contacts for actuating successivelythe signaling devices of the corresponding series, and means operativeafter the actuation of a predetermined number of devices of one of saidfirst series for effecting the actuation of a signaling device in saidsecond series.

4. In electrical signaling mechanism, the combination, witha pluralityof independently actuable electrical contacts and a source of electricenergy, of a plurality of separate circuits connecting said source withsaid contacts, a series of signaling devices for each of said circuits,means operative upon the repeated closing of any one of said contactsfor causing the successive actuation of the signaling devices of thecorresponding series, and means operative upon the actuation ofthe lastsignaling device in any series for causing the actuation of the nextsucceeding signaling device in another series.

5. In electrical signaling mechanism, the combination with a pluralityof independently actuable electrical contacts and a source of electricenergy, of a plurality of separate circuits connecting said series withsaid contacts, a series of signaling devices for each of said circuits,certain of said series being of a higher order than other series, meansoperative upon the repeated closing 01 any one of said contacts forcausing the successive actuation of the signaling devices of thecorresponding series, means operative upon the actuation of anysignaling device for terminating the actuation of the preceding devicein its own series, and means operative upon the actuation of the lastsignaling device in any series of a lower order for causing theactuation of the next succeeding signaling device in the correspondingseries of the higher order.

6. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a plurality ofindependently actuable electrical contacts and a source of electricenergy, of a plurality of separate circuits connecting said source withsaid contacts, a series of signaling devices for each of said circuits,and forming groups of a first order, a higher series of signalingdevices for each of said first series and forming groups of a higherorder, means operative upon the repeated closing of said contacts forcausing the successive actuation of the signaling devices of thecorresponding lower series, means operative upon the actuation of thelast signaling device of any lower series for causing the actuation of asignaling device in the corresponding higher series, and means operativeupon the actu ation of a signaling device in any higher series forterminating the actuation of the devices in every lower series.

7. In signaling apparatus, the combina tion with a plurality ofindependently actuable electrical contacts and a source of electricenergy, of a plurality of separate circuits connecting said source withsaid contacts, a series of signaling devices for each of said circuits,certain of said series being of a lower order and others being of ahigher order, means operative upon the closing of any one of saidcontacts for causing the actuation of the signaling device next in orderin the corresponding series, electrical connections between the last signaling device of each lower series and the circuit of one of said higherseries, whereby upon the actuation of the last device of such lowerseries the device neXt in order in the corresponding higher series willbe actuated, and means operative upon the actuation of a device in anyhigher series by accumulation from any lower series for terminating allactuation in every lower series.

8. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with. a contact device and asource of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a plurality ofinterlocking relays, means carried by each relay adapted, upon actuationof that relay, to connect said source and contact in series with themagnet of the succeeding relay so as to enable it to be actuated uponthe next actuation of said contact device, an independent circuitbetween said source and said relays, means operative upon the actuationof any relay for closing said independent circuit through the magnet ofsaid relay, and means carried by succeeding relays and adapted, uponactuation of those relays, to break said independent circuit andterminate the operation of the prc ceding relay.

9. In a signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device anda source of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a relay connectedin said circuit and having a plurality of armature controlled contacts,an independent circuit connecting said relay with said source throughcertain of said contacts whereby upon the energizing of the relay magnetsaid independent circuit will be closed to maintain such energization,and means operative upon the occurrence of a predetermined event forbreaking said independent circuit-whereby said magnet is deenergized.

10. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device and asource of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a relay connected insaid circuit and having a plurality of armature controlled contacts, anindependent circuit connecting said relay with said source throughcertain of said contacts whereby upon the energizing of the relay magnetsaid independent circuit will be closed to maintain such energization,additional circuits connected with other of said contacts, and meansoperative upon the occurrence of a predetermined event for deenergizingsaid magnet whereby there is permitted a shift in the arrangement ofsaid additional circuits.

11. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device and asource of electrical energy in circuit therewith, of a relay connectedin said circuit and having a plurality of armature controlled contacts,an independent circuit connecting said relay with said. source throughcertain of said contacts whereby upon the energizing of the relay magnetsaid independent circuit will be closed to maintain such energization,additional signaling devices connected in said independent circuit andadapted to be actuated by the passage of a current therethrough, andmeans operative upon the occurrence of a predetermined event fordeenergizing said magnet whereby the breaking of said secondary circuitis effected.

12. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device and asource of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a relay connected insaid circuit and having a plurality of armature controlled contacts,certain of said. contacts being arranged to be closed upon theattraction of said armature and others to'be broken, an independenttion,

circuit connecting said source and relay magnet in series through thosearmature contacts which are closed upon the energizing of said magnet,and means independent of said first named contact device for breakingsaid secondary circuit upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

13. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device and aplurality of relays, each of said relays comprising a magnet, anarmature, and a plurality of armature controlled contacts, certain ofsaid contacts being arranged to be closed upon the attraction of saidarmature and others to be opened, of a circuit connecting said contactdevice with said source and passing through the magnet of. the firstrelay and certain of its own normally closed contacts and the similarcontacts of succeeding relays, a secondary circuit connecting saidsource with the magnet of said first relay and including a normally opencontact of said first relay and normally closed contacts of saidsucceeding relays, and connections whereby upon the energizing of anyrelay said secondary circuit will be diverted to itself from thepreceding relay and said first named contact device will be connected inseries with the magnet of the succeeding relay.

14:. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a contact device anda source of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a relay in saidcircuit and adapted to be actuated upon the closing of said contact, anindependent circuit connected through said source and the magnet of saidrelay and adapted to be 'completed upon the actuation of said relay soas to continue the operation of the same, and means for breaking saidindependent circuit upon the occurrence of a subsequent event in theoperation of said mechanism, whereby said relay may be permitted toretake its former condition.

15. In signaling mechanism, the combinawith a contact device and asource of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a plurality ofinterlocking relays, means carried by each relay adapted, upon actuationof that relay, to connect said source and contact in series with themagnet of the succeeding relay, and a controlling relay in circuit withsaid source and contact and adapted, when actuated, to short circuitsaid first relays, the lag of said controlling relay being substantiallythe same as that of said first relays. 1

16. In signaling mechanism, thecombination, with a contact device and -asource of electric energy in circuit therewith, of a plurality of relaysarranged in series and each having a plurality of armature controlledcontacts, certain of said contacts being arranged, upon actuation ofthat relay, to connect said source and contact in series with themagnet. of the succeeding relay, other of said contacts being arrangedupon the actuation of that relay to connect the magnet of that relaywith said source through an independent circuit, and still other of saidcontacts being arranged, upon the actuation of that relay to open theindependent circuitthrough the magnet oi the preceding relay.

17. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open contacts and a source of electric energy in circuitwitheach of the same, of a succession of interlocking relays for each ofsaid contacts, means carried by each relay adapted, upon actuation ofthat relay, to connect said source and contact in series with the magnetof the succeeding relay, an independent circuit between said source andsaid relays, means operative upon the actuation of any relay for closingsaid independent circuit through the magnet of that relay, a totalizingrelay connected to the last of each of said first series of relays, anda circuit breaking relay having its magnet in series with each of saidtotalizing relays and its con tacts in series with each of saidindependent circuits.

18.- In signaling apparatus the combination, with an electro-magnet andan armature associated therewith, of a plurality of conducting membersadjacent to said armature, certain of said conducting members being incontact with each. other when said armature is retracted and othersbeing in contact with each other when said armature is attracted, anormally open contact, a source of electric energy, a circuit connectingsaid source to said electromagnet by way of said contact, whereby saidarmature will be attracted upon the closing of the same, a separatecircuit connected between said source and said magnet by way of a pairof said conducting members which are connected only when said armatureis attracted, and an annunciating device in said last circuit.

19. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a series of normallyunexcited.

electro-magnets, of a plurality of conducting members adjacent to eachof the same, certain of said members being in contact with each otheronly when the corresponding magnet is uneXcited and others being incontact only when such magnet is excited, a source of electric energy, acircuit connecting said source with one of said magnets, said circuitbeing by way of certain normally contacting conducting members of thesucceeding magnets and also having a normally open contact, a separatecircuit connected between said source and said magnet by way of othernormally contacting members of the succeeding magnets, said separatecircuit including a pair of normally separated members in the magnet towhich it is connected, and signaling means included with each magnet insaid last named circuit, whereby said signaling means will be actuatedsuccessively upon the repeated closing of said normally open contact,and whereby each signaling device will be released upon the actuation ofthe succeeding magnet.

20. In a signaling apparatus, the combination with a source of electricenergy and a normally open contact, of a series of relays, eachcomprising an electro-magnet and a plurality of conducting members a, b,0, (Z, c, f, of which b0 and (Z@ are in con tact only when thecorresponding magnet is unexcited while a-c and ef are in contact onlywhen the magnet is excited, an actuating circuit connecting said sourcewith one terminal of each magnet and with both terminals of the firstrelay magnet, said actuating circuit containing said open contact andthe members (Z@ of each relay, a sustaining circuit connecting saidsource with one terminal of each magnet and containing the members F)cof each relay, an annunciating device connected between the member a andthe terminal of each magnet, and a connection between the terminal ofeach magnet after the first and the member f of the preceding relay.

21. In coin control mechanism for apparatus, the combination, with acoin chute and a normally open electric contact adjacent thereto andadapted to be closed temporarily upon the passage of a coin ofpredetermined size, of a source of electric en ergy, an electro-magnet,a circuit connecting said source and magnet and including said contact,means operative upon the energizing of said magnet for shunting saidopen contact and for simultaneously rendering said apparatus available,and means operative after the occurrence of a predetermined number ofevents for decnergizing said magnet wheroby said shunt will be brokenand said apparatus rendered unavailable.

22. In coin control mechanism for apparatus, the combination, with asource of electric energy and a normally open contact adapted to beclosed momentarily by the deposit of a coin, or" an electro-magnet, acir cuit connecting said magnet with said battery and including saidopen contact, an annunciating device in said circuit, means operativeupon the energizing of said magnet for shunting said open contact, meansoperative upon the energizing of said magnet for rendering saidapparatus available, and means operative after a predetermined number0]": events for decnergizing said ma g net whereby said shunt will bebroken and said apparatus rendered unavailable.

23. In coin control mechanism for apparatus, the combination with asource of electric energy and a normally open contact adapted to beclosed momentarily by the deposit of a coin, of an electro-magnet, acircuit connecting said magnet with said battery and including said opencontact, armature contacts adapted, upon the excitation. of said magnet,to shunt said coin contact, other armature contacts adapted, upon theexcitation of said magnet, to render available the apparatus controlledthereby, and means governed by said apparatus for short circuiting saidmagnet, whereby the separation of said first armature contacts ispermitted and said magnet deenergized.

2 In apparatus of the character described, the combination, with asource of electric energy and signaling mechanism operative upon theoccurrence of difi'erent events, of an electro-magnet having anarmature, means operative upon the attraction of said armature forrendering said signaling mechanism operative, a normally open contact,means operative upon the temporary closing of said contact forconnecting said source through said magnet, means operative upon theenergizing of said magnet for maintaining the energization of saidmagnet, and means operative upon the establishment of a predeterminedconnection in said signaling apparatus for deenergizing said magnet.

25. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open electric contacts and a source of electric energy, of aplurality of signaling devices connected in series with each of saidcontacts and adapted to be operated in succession upon repeated closingsof the corresponding contact, an emergency circuit, and means operativeupon the occurrence of an impulse in said emer 'ency circuit forresetting all of said signaling devices.

26. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open contacts and a source of electric energy, certain of saidcontacts being connected in series with a plurality of signaling devicesso arranged as to be actuated successively upon repeated actuations 01":said contacts and other of said contacts being connected to an emergencycircuit, of an electromagnet having an armature, an independ ent circuitthrough said magnet whereby the same may be energized and said armatureattracted, means operative upon the attraction of said armature forproducing a sustaining current through said magnet, an annunciatingdevice in said emergency circuit and operative upon the occurrence of animpulse therein, a. plurality of annunciating devices for each of saidother circuits, means for actuating successively the devices in eachcircuit upon repeated closings of the contact in that circuit, all ofsaid circuits passing through contacts carried by said armature, andmeans operative upon the occurrence of an impulse in such emergencycircuit for denergizing said magnet and releasing said armature wherebysaid other circuits may be opened.

27. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open contacts, one of the same being an emergency contact, andothers being signaling contacts, of a source of electric energy, anelectro-inagnet having an armature, circuit devices controlled by saidarmature, a circuit from said source in series with each of saidsignaling contacts, annunciating de vices in said circuits and adaptedto be actuated upon the closing of those contacts, and means operativeupon the closing of said emergency contact for opening all of saidcircuits.

28. In signaling mechanism, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open contacts and a source of electric energy in circuit witheach of the same, of a primary group of relays for each of saidcontacts, means operative upon the actuation of any relay to connect thecorresponding contact in series with the magnet of the succeeding relay,an independent circuit between said source and said relays, meansoperative upon the actuation of any relay for closing said independentcircuit through the magnet of that relay, a secondary group of re laysconnected to the last relay of each primary group, and a circuitbreaking relay having its contacts in series with the independentcircuits of all of said first relays and having an independent magnetwinding in series between each secondary group and the last relay ofeach primary group.

29. In signaling apparatus, the combination, with a plurality ofnormally open Copies of this patent may be obtained for electriccontacts and a source of electric energy in circuit with each of thesame, of a plurality of relays for certain of said circuits and adaptedto be operated successively upon repeated closing of the correspondingcircuit, additional contact members carried by one of said relays andconnected with another of said normally open contacts, and signalingdevices connected to said additional contacts and adapted to be operatedfrom said last named normally open contact only when said additionalcontacts are in a predetermined relation. 30. In signaling apparatus,the combination, with a plurality of normally open electric contacts anda source of electric energy in circuit with each of the same, of aplurality of relays for certain of said circuits and adapted tobeoperated successively upon repeated closing of the correspondingcircuit, an additional contact member associated with one of said relaysand arranged to assume different positions when that relay is energizedand deenergized, said contact member being in circuit with another ofsaid normally open contacts, a group of signaling devices arrangedincircuit with said additional contact mem her when its relay magnet isdeenergized and other signaling devices arranged in circuit with saidadditional contact member when that relay magnet is energized.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afliX our signatures in the presence oftwo witnesses.

CHAS. GREENSLIT. ROSCOE ROYAL. Witnesses FRANK X. SCI-IANT, HAROLD E.SMITH.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. 0."

